{"id":2406,"date":"2023-06-13T12:38:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-13T11:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/?p=2406"},"modified":"2025-06-22T21:12:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-22T20:12:53","slug":"how-to-spot-a-bad-labrador-breeder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/how-to-spot-a-bad-labrador-breeder\/","title":{"rendered":"41 Ways To Spot A Bad Labrador Breeder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Not all Labrador breeders are equal, and in fact some will be far, far better than others. Breeding Labradors is a big responsibility, and anyone taking it on should be well equipped to bring up the healthiest, best tempered pups possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dog breeders to avoid are those that don&#8217;t have an interest in the puppies they are creating. Bad dog breeders are usually just trying to make a few bucks. As a result they are therefore not fussed about health tests, temperament traits or the welfare of their own breeding stock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are currently searching for a new Labrador puppy, then your first step will be to find the right breeder. This is a vital part of selecting the best Lab puppy to bring home, and not a task to be taken lightly. In this article we will help you to make the right decision, by giving you some warning signs to look out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#questions\">A lack of questions and health tests<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#litters\">Too many litters from a variety of dog breeds<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#withhold\">Refusal to share important information<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#nerves\">Nervous puppies or adult dogs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder will be willing and able to help and advise you regarding any concerns you might have about your dog, throughout his entire life. And your puppy\u2019s life might well depend upon the actions of his breeder, even before he has born. That&#8217;s because good breeders go to great lengths to ensure that their puppies have healthy genes and a great start in life. So let&#8217;s take a look at\u00a0my top ways to spot a bad Labrador breeder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Meet Winston! Amherst Police Department&#039;s new comfort dog\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1vUS9M7Y6Gk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dog Breeders To Avoid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I highly recommend that you read this list before you visit a litter of puppies, and again afterwards. Remember that all puppies are adorable, and don\u2019t let this cloud your judgement during your time spent with the breeder. I have on several occasions walked away from bad breeders based on gut instinct alone, only to realise what was bothering me when I reflected upon the situation at home later. Although this was very upsetting at the time, I am incredibly thankful now that I did walk away and take the time to find the right breeder for my new puppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Signs Of A Bad Dog Breeder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A bad dog breeder is not necessarily a bad person, or lacking in good intensions. Sometimes they are simply ignorant. It can be tricky to spot a bad Labrador breeder, especially when you are excited about getting a new puppy and reluctant to wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you spot any of the following signs, then you may want to consider politely moving on to the next breeder on your list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"questions\">1. The Breeder Doesn\u2019t Ask You Questions About Yourself<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you contact the breeder for the first time, they should not let you do all of the talking. They should show an interest in who you are, your experience with dogs and Labradors in particular. They should want to be reassured that you are going to be the best possible person to look after one of their puppies. A lack of interest in anything beyond whether you are able to pay is a bad sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. The Breeder Hasn\u2019t Carried Out Health Tests On The Parent Dogs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder will make sure that at a minimum both parents have low hip scores, elbow scores of 0, clear eye tests from within the last 12 months and are DNA clear for Progressive Retinal Atrophy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. The Breeder Doesn\u2019t Have Evidence Of The Health Tests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If the breeder assures you that the parents are health tested, but then avoids or delays sending you copies of the health certificates then you have to assume that this is because they don\u2019t have any. When they say they are unable to scan them and email them to you, then you may have to trust that they will be on site when you visit. If the documents are not forthcoming upon arrival, then it\u2019s time to politely walk away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. The Parent Dogs Have No Purpose Beyond Breeding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good Labrador breeder will have dogs in their life for a reason beyond breeding. They will either be worked, compete in agility, obedience or be shown in the ring. They should be a loved and valued member of the family, or sporting team. No dog should be kept for her breeding value alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"litters\">5. The Breeder Has Numerous Litters Each Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dog breeders to avoid usually have numerous litters. Some very good breeders will have a couple of litters a year from, but in general multiple sets of puppies should set alarm bells ringing. Run a google search on the breeder\u2019s name or their kennel name. If they appear repeatedly in the wanted ad\u2019s pages then walk away.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/bad-breeder-640x1024.jpg\" alt=\"bad dog breeder\" class=\"wp-image-15285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/bad-breeder-640x1024.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/bad-breeder-188x300.jpg 188w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/bad-breeder-768x1229.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/bad-breeder-696x1114.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/bad-breeder-263x420.jpg 263w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/bad-breeder.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. The Breeder Also Sells Puppies To Pet Stores<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dog breeders to avoid include those that sell their dogs via someone else. Good breeders will never sell their puppies to pet stores, they want to meet the potential owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. The Breeder Has Many Dogs Of Different Breeds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some good breeders will have dogs of different breeds but they will usually fall within a set and understandable category. For example working bred Labradors may live and work alongside Spaniels or HPRs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The presence of more than two different breeds on site, especially if those breeds are completely unrelated and very popular, is a red flag. If your breeder has various female dogs from different breed categories, you need to ask yourself and her, why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. The Breeder Won\u2019t Let You See The Mother<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Under no circumstances bring home a puppy without seeing the mother. A bad breeder will not simply tell you that you cannot see her, they will concoct a viable lie. Common lies are \u2018she has gone to work with my husband today\u2019, \u2018she has gone on holiday with a friend\u2019, \u2018she is having a break from the puppies due to mastitis\u2019, or even \u2018she has died\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On rare occasions these excuses may be true, but as a buyer you simply cannot run the risk that the breeder is actually running a puppy mill, or has bought the puppies in from a puppy mill, or that the mother has been kept away due to problems with poor health or aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. The Puppies Are Unclean<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dog breeders to avoid will often have dirty puppies. All puppies will get messy occasionally, they step in poop, play in the flowerbed, or get food on their paws, but a puppy living in urine or faeces will smell strongly and look dirty. This is a sign that the breeder either does not understand puppies at all, or that they are negligent in their care. Either way, they are not the breeder for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. The Puppies Surroundings Are Inadequate For Their Needs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder will give a puppy plenty of space, warmth and light. If your breeder is keeping the litter in a confined space where they cannot stretch their legs, if the puppies are cold or if they live in darkness, then the breeder is not taking proper care of them. The pups will be less likely to grow up to be well socialised, healthy and confident dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11. The Breeder Won\u2019t Meet You At Their Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid dog breeders that will not let you meet the puppies at their home. If they ask to meet you in a public place, then walk away. This means that they have something to hide. Again they will give you excuses that could be believable, but it is simply not worth the risk of endorsing a puppy mill, which is the most likely reason for avoiding you visiting their premises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">12. The Puppies Have No Toys Or Soft Bedding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Puppies require stimulation and comfort. If you visit the puppies and they are living in a barren space, with no soft bedding, then this is a sign of a bad breeder who does not understand or does not care about their need for interaction, play and comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">13. The Puppies Are Very Underweight Or Overweight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dog breeders to avoid won&#8217;t be feeding their puppies correctly. A good breeder knows how much food their puppies need. Underweight puppies could be suffering from an illness or simply not being given enough food. Overweight puppies are unhealthy too. They are more likely to suffer from joint problems and rapid growth, and a good breeder would be aware of this fact and not put the puppies in the position of becoming over weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"withhold\">14. The Breeder Won\u2019t Share Details Of The Stud Dog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder will be entirely transparent. A bad breeder may avoid questions about the stud dog, what his purpose is and where he lives. You should have the option of going to visit the stud dog as well, if you choose to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">15. The Mother Doesn\u2019t Know Her Name<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Be wary if the mother of the puppies does not appear to recognise her name when the breeder speaks it. Or if in fact the breeder gets the mother\u2019s name wrong. This is a sign that the dog is lacking in training and in bond with the breeder, who may only be using her for her ability to produce puppies and not giving her a fulfilling active life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">16. The Breeder Won\u2019t Share Their Vet\u2019s Details<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your breeder should be happy to let you know who her veterinarian is, in case you request a reference from them. Any evasion on this part should be taken as a sign that they may have something to hide, in terms of their animals welfare or their interest in their dog\u2019s health. Vet care is a vital part of dog ownership, and a breeder should have a good relationship with their local veterinarian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">17. The Breeder Asks You To Take The Puppy Home Earlier Than 8 Weeks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Good breeders know that puppies are not ready to go to their new homes until they reach<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/8-week-old-puppy\/\"> 8 weeks of age<\/a>. A couple of days shy of this for convenience shouldn\u2019t raise any alarm bells, but any more than that suggests that the breeder is keen to get rid of the puppies, and doesn\u2019t understand or care about the benefits to the pups of staying with their siblings until this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They may well give you excuses such as, the mother is fed up with them or they are weaned, but these are not relevant factors. Puppies need their<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/puppy-development\/\"> mothers and littermates<\/a> for much more than feeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">18. The Breeder Encourages You To Take Two Puppies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder understands that most people are not equipped or prepared to take on the responsibility of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/one-labrador-puppy-or-two\/\">two Labrador puppies at once<\/a>. A bad Labrador breeder who simply wants to make money and sell puppies will encourage you to bring home two dogs, because it is financially easier for them to make a double sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">19. The Breeder Describes Their Dogs As \u2018Rare\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The way in which your breeder describes her litter will be telling. Buzzwords such as \u2018rare\u2019 are to be considered with caution. You want a Labrador breeder who understands what makes the Labrador breed so great, and wants to reflect this in their puppies. Unusual dogs are of course interesting, but they might be lacking in the qualities that you are looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Health and temperament should be the primary considerations when making your decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">20. The Dog Doesn\u2019t Seem Attached To The Breeder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dog breeders to avoid are unconnected with their dogs emotionally. The mother of the puppies should be clearly bonded to her owner. She should want to be near her, listen when she is spoken to and seem relaxed and happy in her company. If she is not then she either is has either been lacking in attention and training, or she does not have the typical Labrador personality that you want to be passed on to her offspring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">21. The Breeder Says The Dogs Are KC Registered But Won\u2019t Produce Papers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A breeder who tells you that the puppies are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/is-my-dog-purebred\/\">KC or AKC registered <\/a>should be able to provide evidence of this to you. If they are not, then you have no way of telling whether this is true. If you wish to compete with your Labrador then you will need this KC paperwork, but even if you don\u2019t you can not be sure that an unregistered Lab has parents who are a healthy match in terms of their pedigrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">22. The Dogs Are Registered With Another Agency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A breeder who registers her dogs with another agency is doing so because her dogs\u2019 cannot be AKC (in the USA) or Kennel Club (in the UK) registered. These types of registration have no value at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">23. The Breeder Implies KC Registration Is An Indicator Of Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Kennel Club register dogs based on their lineage, and not upon their health. To be registered with the KC a Labrador does not require a single health test, nor inspection of the breeder\u2019s dogs or property. A bad breeder will imply that KC registration is some kind of seal of approval, when in fact it is simply evidence of the dog\u2019s ancestors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">24. The Breeder Seems Lacking In Knowledge About Labradors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder is familiar with their breed. Understanding their exercise, dietary, training and care requirements extensively. If the breeder seems unsure of any aspect of Labrador care or life with Labradors, then they may not be sufficiently knowledgable to produce healthy happy puppies and home them accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">25. The Breeder Won\u2019t Provide References From Previous Puppy Buyers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder will happily provide you with references from previous puppy buyers. A reluctance to do so suggests that they are keeping a disappointing element hidden, or that they are not interested in their puppies once they are homed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"nerves\">26. The Puppies Are Nervous Of Strangers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Puppies should be curious and alert. When you sit down amongst them they should pile into your lap, tug your clothes and lick your hands. If the puppies seem shy or reserved they may be unwell,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/how-to-socialise-your-labrador-puppy\/\"> or not have been properly socialised.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">27. The Breeder Lacks Knowledge Of The Dogs In The Pedigree<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder choses her dogs carefully, picks matings based on a wealth of knowledge of the breed and knows other dogs relevant to her own. They should be able to pick several names out of the pedigree and give you some background on the dogs that they relate to, and what you can expect in terms of temperament and breeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">28. The Breeder Is Unfamiliar With Coefficient Of Inbreeding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Labradors are a pedigree dog breed, and as such a part of a closed register. It is important that your breeder makes sure that they don\u2019t mate two dogs who are too closely related to one another. Coefficient of Inbreeding or COI is a measure of how related a pair of dogs are. A bad breeder will mate two dogs with similar pedigrees, without having an interest for the impact this will have on future generations of the breed and their health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">29. The Breeder Uses Shy Or Aggressive Dogs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder will only mate from the healthiest and nicest of dogs. Labradors have lovely personalities in general, so there is no excuse for breeding from a nervous or grumpy dog. Your puppy\u2019s temperament will be in part be a product of his parents\u2019 temperaments. So it is in your interests to happy, friendly Labrador parents. But it should be in the breeder\u2019s interest too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A bad breeder does not care what the puppies\u2019 personalities are like, so they will breed from parents who are not up to standard in terms of temperament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">30. The Breeder Chose A Stud Dog Based On Convenience Only<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Be wary of a breeder who chose a stud dog based upon their location. You will of course occasionally find that a breeder uses a dog just down the road for perfectly legitimate reasons, but their explanation will be something like \u2018I found the perfect, kindest, fully health tested stud dog in the world &#8211; and amazingly he lives just around the corner!\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A breeder who only remarks upon the convenience of the stud dog, is not taking the time to make the right decision for the puppies.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/treatsbanner1.jpg\" alt=\"treatsbanner1\" class=\"wp-image-14464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/treatsbanner1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/treatsbanner1-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/treatsbanner1-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/treatsbanner1-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/treatsbanner1-696x348.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/treatsbanner1-1068x534.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/treatsbanner1-840x420.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">31. The Puppies Are Sold On A First Come First Served Basis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder takes the time to get to know her buyers, and assess them individually. A bad breeder is not interested in who homes her puppies, just that they hand over the cash and take them off her hands. If when you speak to the breeder they let you know that puppies will be sold on a first come first served basis, this is a real warning sign that all is not as it should be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">32. The Breeder Has No Older Dogs On Site<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder keeps her dogs for reasons beyond breeding. Even a busy kennels who use their Labradors for working, will often have a couple of old dogs resting by the hearth in the house. They might sell some older trained dogs from time to time to free up space for a new line, but they will not let every dog that is past it\u2019s prime walk out the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A bad breeder will sell every single dog who either does not produce enough puppies or is past her prime, and will never keep a dog on for sentimental reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">33. The Breeder Won\u2019t Show You The Rest Of The Litter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder will let you meet the entire litter, even if all of the other puppies have homes assigned to them. It enables you to see that they are all a similar size, and in great health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dog breeders to avoid will hide the remainder of the litter if there is a problem with any of them, or if one or more of the puppies is displaying concerning signs. They may also tell you that you cannot see the rest of the litter because they don\u2019t actually have them on site or own them at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">34. The Breeder Won\u2019t Show You Where The Puppies\u2019 Live<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder will show you where the puppies live. Allowing you to seeing the conditions that they are being raised in. A bad breeder could keep the puppies living conditions a secret for any number of reasons, including poor facilities or because there are numerous other litters in the same area also for sale. They should be happy for you to see everywhere that the puppy has been kept, and to make your own judgement on the conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">35. The Breeder Won\u2019t Hold A Puppy For You For A Day Or Two<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder cares about who takes her puppies home, and wants them to make an informed and considered opinion. If you ask the breeder whether you can sleep on your decision, and their response is \u2018you can do that, but when the puppy is taken it\u2019s taken\u2019, or \u2018of course, but I have got another potential buyer coming to see her in a couple of hours\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t allow yourself to be pressured and be aware that this is probably just a sales technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">36. The Breeder Claim To Be An Agent Of The Actual Breeder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder raises their own puppies, they do not sell on someone else\u2019s behalf. A bad Labrador breeder, who says that they dogs are owned by another party who is unavailable at the moment, is one to be regarded with nothing but suspicion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Good breeders want to meet and get to know all of their potential puppy parents, and will not miss out on this opportunity by employing an agent to make the sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">37. The Breeder Does Not Have A Job Other Than Breeding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder will not be able to afford to make a living on the few responsibly raised litters that she produces. They will have another role in their life, whether that is in a related field such as dog training or some other area of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the breeder clearly makes their living through puppies alone, then they are unlikely to be able to give the care and attention that raising each litter requires nor make sound decisions about the homes they send their puppies to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">38. The Breeder Is Feeding Low Quality Or Inappropriate Dog Food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder cares about the health of their puppies and wants to do what is best for them. A bad breeder will only feed them the bare minimum quantity and quality required to keep them looking fit for sale. Ask the breeder what the puppies are fed on and why. It should be a good quality food, appropriate for Labradors and for puppies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bad breeders will use the cheapest option and may given inappropriate food such as adult kibble to young dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">39. The Breeder Does Not Socialise The Puppies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder is aware that well socialised puppies grow up into confident, happy dogs. A bad breeder will keep puppies away from the home and visitors, and won\u2019t have made an effort for them to meet lots of people of varying ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Any downgrading of the importance of socialisation to a growing puppy is a real warning sign of a lack of canine knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">40. The Breeder Does Not Offer After Care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder will let you know that you can contact them with any questions, and that they will be happy to take the puppy back at any point in their lifetime if your circumstances change. They should encourage you to get in touch if you have any worries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A bad breeder will see the exchanging of money and homing of the puppy as the end of your relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">41. Dog Breeders To Avoid Won&#8217;t Ask You To Stay In Touch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A good breeder will want to know how their dog\u2019s puppy is getting on. They will invite you to email them photos or friend them on Facebook. A bad breeder may not even ask for your contact details, and will not show interest in being kept informed of the puppy\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Not all Labrador breeders are equal, and in fact some will be far, far better than others. Breeding Labradors is a big responsibility, and anyone taking it on should be well equipped to bring up the healthiest, best tempered pups possible. 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